Hopedale Board of Assessors short staffed

HOPEDALE - When Edward Holland's name came up before the Board of Selectmen two months ago for reappointment to the Board of Assessors, it was met with silence.

The remaining two members on the three-person board now say they aren't happy with the decision. And at the Board of Selectmen's meeting on Monday, Board of Assessors member Lisa Alberto questioned the selectmen's decision not to reappoint Holland, who was seeking his third three-year term.

During the June 23 meeting, selectmen did not say anything when Holland's name came up for reappointment during the board's annual reappointments.

Alberto on Monday said the selectmen's failure to act is concerning.

"The complete silence from the selectmen was quite shocking," she said.

She added there have been no complaints against Holland or anyone on the Board of Assessors.

"I’m concerned about the future of the town of Hopedale and the functioning of this board," Alberto said Monday.

With a "limited pool of applicants" in the small town, finding a replacement may be challenging, she said.

Selectmen Chairwoman Janet Jacaruso said Monday that the board had not discussed Holland’s reappointment prior to the meeting and that "everyone was surprised" at the silence.

Chairman of the Board of Assessors Don Howes said Tuesday that he believes the reason for Holland’s failure to be reappointed is personal. A selectman, he said, "heard a secondhand rumor that Holland had a negative comment about them."

Howes said he has not received any official notification from selectmen about Holland’s non-appointment.

He added that the board needs at least two members for a quorum.

Principal Assessor Teri Gonsalves on Tuesday said she was surprised at the board’s actions.

She echoed Alberto’s claim that there have been no complaints against Holland or the three-member board, but did not comment further.

Selectmen have declined to comment.

Gonsalves said the board, which votes on tax exemptions, abatements and valuations can still function as a two-person board.

According to the town website, there are 31 vacancies on 10 boards and committees, not including the vacancy now on the Board of Assessors.

Zachary Comeau can be reached at 508-634-7556 and zcomeau@wickedlocal.com. Follow him on Twitter @ZComeau_MDN.